Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine makes a player play a game using a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information is shown and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not shown. The gaming machine includes a main controller and a player terminal. The main controller determines an undisclosed card. The player terminal receives from the main controller card data which is information identifying an undisclosed card, determines a limiting level value which is information about to which level a front surface of an undisclosed card is displayed in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by a player, and visibly displays thereon at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card in accordance with card data and a limiting level value.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese patent Application No. 2006-042672, filed on Feb. 20, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that provides a player with a game using cards.

2. Description of Related Art

There are existing and presented many gaming machines that provide conventional games including card games such as a poker game, and games using tools other than cards such as a bingo game. Accordingly, in order that a player selects a gaming machine from various gaming machines to play a game, the gaming machine must be able to provide a game attractive to the player. Therefore, there has been proposed a gaming machine that adds a strategic element to a game to thereby enhance motivation for a player to play a game. Some gaming machines adopt game rules such as double up, split, insurance, and the like (for example, Published Japanese Translation of a PCT Application JP-T-10-508236, pages 18-19).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When a player plays a game in accordance with the above-mentioned rules, the player may consequently suffer a total loss of payouts he/she has acquired in the game. As a result, the gaming machine may adversely lose customers.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem. To be more specific, an object of the present invention is to add a strategic element to a play, by allowing a player to see a part of a card in exchange for (i.e., at the cost of or in compensation for) additional investment which means payment of a game value so that the player is given an opportunity for strategic decision in a game such as whether to stop the game or further proceed with the game.

As a means for solving the above-described problem, the present invention provides the following.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine which provides a game (such as a baccarat game, a blackjack game, a poker game, a Hanafuda game (which is a Japanese card game), a trading card game, and the like) using a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information (such as a mark and a number of a playing card) is given and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not given.

The gaming machine includes a display and a controller. In a state where an undisclosed card, which is the card having only the back surface exposed, is displayed on the display, the controller gradually displays on the display a front surface of the undisclosed card so as to make it visible to a player, in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by the player after a game is started.

Such a gaming machine makes the player guess or know contents of the undisclosed card, to thereby provide more advantageous information in making a decision about a game progress. This can give the player an opportunity for strategic decision in a game, and thus add a strategic element to a play.

The gaming machine further includes a control panel. The controller determines card data which is information identifying an undisclosed card and a limiting level value which is information about to which level a front surface of an undisclosed card is displayed, in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by a player through the control panel. The controller visibly displays on the display at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card in accordance with the card data and the limiting level value.

Such a gaming machine makes the player guess or know contents of the undisclosed card, to thereby provide more advantageous information in making a decision about a game progress. This can give the player an opportunity for strategic decision in a game, and thus add a strategic element to a play.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine which makes a player play a game using a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information (such as a mark and a number of a playing card) is shown and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not shown.

The gaming machine includes a display, a controller, and a player terminal. The controller determines an undisclosed card. The player terminal receives from the controller card data which is information identifying an undisclosed card. The player terminal determines a limiting level value which is information about to which level a front surface of an undisclosed card is displayed in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by a player. The player terminal visibly displays on the display at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card in accordance with the card data and the limiting level value.

Such a gaming machine makes the player guess or know contents of the undisclosed card, to thereby provide more advantageous information in making a decision about a game progress. This can give the player an opportunity for strategic decision in a game, and thus add a strategic element to a play.

In the above-described gaming machine, it may be possible that whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not is determined and, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the display visibly displays thereon at least a part of a surface of the undisclosed card.

In such a gaming machine, an opportunity for limiting can be given for example to a player who keeps losing and has less motivation to play a game. Accordingly, an opportunity for retrieval is given to the player. This can prevent the gaming machine from losing customers. As a result, reduction in operating rate of the gaming machine can be prevented.

It may be possible that, in the above-described gaming machine, the display displays thereon an image of a dealer distributing cards and that, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, an image of the dealer recommending limiting is displayed on the display.

In such a gaming machine, player's motivation to play a game can be enhanced by an effect with more sense of reality. At the same time, an opportunity for retrieval is given to the player. This can prevent the gaming machine from losing customers. As a result, reduction in operating rate of the gaming machine can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of a gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a player terminal;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an elevator mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the elevator mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the elevator mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main controller;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the player terminal;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer of the player terminal;

FIG. 10A shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in a limited display processing;

FIG. 10B shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing;

FIG. 10C shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing;

FIG. 10D shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing;

FIG. 11 shows how a card is in states of FIGS. 10A to 10D, respectively;

FIG. 12A shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in a case where the card is disposed longitudinally;

FIG. 12B shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in the case where the card is disposed longitudinally;

FIG. 12C shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in the case where the card is disposed longitudinally;

FIG. 12D shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in the case where the card is disposed longitudinally;

FIG. 13A shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in a case where the card is disposed laterally;

FIG. 13B shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in the case where the card is disposed laterally;

FIG. 13C shows an example of a screen having a card image displayed therein in the limited display processing, in the case where the card is disposed laterally;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing of the gaming machine;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the limited display processing;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing for displaying a limited card image; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing for displaying a limited card image which follows the processing shown in FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a certain preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Appearance of Gaming Machine]

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 100 has a table section 102 and a panel section 103. In the table section 102, player terminals 101 which are called satellites are disposed in a substantially fanwise form. The panel section 103 is placed behind the table section 102. In an example shown in FIG. 1, five player terminals 101 are disposed fanwise toward the panel section 103.

The panel section 103 has a front display 104, speakers 105, lamps 106, and LEDs 107. The front display 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. Through the front display 104, general information about a game joined by players who operate the player terminals 101 is notified commonly to the respective players. Notification of start of a bettable time, notification of end of a bet, notification of win or lose of a game, and the like, are displayed through an animated image of a dealer 108.

FIG. 2 shows the player terminal 101 on an enlarged scale. In the following, the player terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The player terminal 101 has, on its upper face, a liquid crystal display 201 that provides a player with information about a game. The liquid crystal display 201 is covered with a transparent touch panel 202. The transparent touch panel 202 is concurrent with an input interface screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 201. A button group 203 is provided on a player's side of the player's liquid crystal display 201. The button group 203 include buttons such as a PAYOUT button and a BET button, which are used by a player during a game. A coin insertion portion 204 is provided on a right side of the button group 203. A player inserts into the coin insertion portion 204 a game value medium such as a coin, a medal, and a chip (hereinafter referred to simply as a coin). A bill insertion portion 205 is provided below the coin insertion portion 204. A player inserts a bill into the bill insertion portion 205. The coin insertion portion 204 is equipped with a coin sensor (not shown). When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion portion 204, a coin detection signal is outputted through the coin sensor to the player terminal 101. The bill insertion portion 205 is equipped with a bill sensor (not shown). When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion portion 205, a bill detection signal is outputted through the bill sensor to the player terminal 101.

A coin payout opening 206 is provided at a lower portion of a front face of the player terminal 101. When a player presses a PAYOUT button which is one of the buttons included in the button group 203, coins are discharged through the coin payout opening 206 so that the player can take the coins in hand. The number of discharged coins corresponds to all or a part of a credit value held by the player, which is stored in the player terminal 101.

A transparent acrylic panel 207 of U shape is provided on a front side (which means a side closer to the panel section 103) of the liquid crystal display 201. In a region enclosed by the transparent acrylic panel 207, a solid-model chip presentation portion 208 is provided. The solid-model chip presentation portion 208 is made up of solid-model chips 209, a presentation plate 211 having openings 210 formed therein, and a later-described elevator mechanism that moves the solid-model chips 209 up and down. The openings 210 are formed in order that the sold-model chips 209 can protrude from inside of the player terminal 101 to outside or in order that the protruding solid-model chips 209 can be received into the player terminal 101.

The solid-model chips 209 is a model of a piled chips, and formed of a resin or the like. In one solid-model chip presentation portion 208, there can be two or more solid-model chips 209 of different units. For example, there can be presented solid-model chips imitating a pile of 1-credit chips, solid-model chips imitating a pile of 10-credit chips, solid-model chips imitating a pile of 100-credit chips, and the like.

These solid-model chips 209 are moved up and down by means of the elevator mechanism in accordance with the number of chips that are credited in the gaming machine 100 by a player who operates the player terminal 101 having these solid-model chip presentation portion 208 mounted thereon, that is, in accordance with a credit value held by the player. For example, in a case where a credit value held by a player at present is “251”, solid-model chips imitating a pile of 1-credit chips are moved up or down so as to protrude from the presentation plate 211 by a height corresponding to a thickness of one chip. Solid-model chips imitating a pile of 10-credit chips are moved up or down so as to protrude from the presentation plate 211 by a height corresponding to five chips. Solid-model chips imitating a pile of 100-credit chips are moved up or down so as to protrude from the presentation plate 211 by a height corresponding to two chips.

By seeing how high the solid-model chips 209 protrude from the presentation plate 211, all players can promptly and intuitively grasp a credit value held by the players, and in addition can feel with a sense of reality as if true chips increase and decrease in front of themselves.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplified internal structure of the gaming machine 100. The gaming machine 100 is provided therein with a main controller 301. The main controller 301 is made up of a data processing unit that executes a game program, and peripheral units. The main controller 301 is two-way communicably connected to the respective player terminals 101. The main controller 301 receives from each player terminal 101 a notification of player's selections such as the number of bets, a betting object, and the like. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the main controller 301 starts executing a game, determines whether the game is won or lost, and notifies each player terminal 101 of a result. In accordance with a notification from the main controller 301, each player terminal 101 increases or decreases a credit value held by the player. For example, when a player wins a game, each player terminal 101 adds to the credit value held by the player a credit value corresponding to the number of coins acquired, and re-stores the credit value held by the player, in accordance with a notification from the main controller 301. When a player loses a game, each player terminal 101 subtracts from the credit value held by the player a credit value corresponding to the number of bets, and re-stores the credit value held by the player, in accordance with a notification from the main controller 301.

Besides, the main controller 301 outputs an image signal that makes an image displayed on the front display 104, controls driving of the lamps 106 and LEDs 107, and controls driving of speakers 105.

The elevator mechanism 302 and a light source 303 are connected to the player terminal 101. The elevator mechanism 302 is a means for moving up and down the solid-model chips 209. In this embodiment, a stepping motor is adopted as a motive power, but an ordinary motor combined with a position controller may also be acceptable.

A specific construction of the elevator mechanism 302 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The elevator mechanism 302 shown in FIG. 4 has a rotation drive shaft 402, abutment members 4031 to 4035, arms 4051 to 4055, and tables 4061 to 4065. The rotation drive shaft 402 is attached to the stepping motor 401. The abutment members 4031 to 4035 are fixed to the rotation drive shaft 402, and rotated along with rotation of the rotation drive shaft 402. The arms 4051 to 4055 are rotatably mounted by a support shaft 404 and positioned in such a manner that one ends of the respective arms 4051 to 4055 are in contact with abutment surfaces 4031P to 4035P of the abutment members 4031 to 4035. The tables 4061 to 4065 are attached to the other ends of the respective arms 4051 to 4055. The solid-model chips 209 are fixed to an upper face of the tables 4061 to 4065. The tables 4061 to 4065 are guided by a slide rail 407. The slide rail 407 restricts movement of the solid-model chips 209 in order that the solid-model chips 209 can rightly pass through the openings 210.

In a construction exemplified in FIG. 4, five kinds of solid-model chips 209 are moved up and down. The number of abutment members 4031 to 4035 is five. The number of the abutment surfaces 4031P to 4035P is five. The number of the arms 4051 to 4055 is five. The number of the tables 4061 to 4065 is five. Branch numbers are for making difference among the five members. In the following, however, when there is no need to make difference, the branch numbers will not be put, and the abutment member, the abutment surface, the arm, and the table will be referred to simply as 403, 403P, 405, and 406, respectively.

Next, an operation of the elevator mechanism 302 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

When the stepping motor 401 driven by the player terminal 101 rotates the rotation drive shaft 402, the abutment member 403 rotates. The abutment member 403 keeps rotating so that the abutment surface 403 comes into contact with one end of the arm 405. In this embodiment, the abutment surface 4035P is the first to come into contact with one end of the arm 4055. Then, the abutment surfaces 4034P, 4033P, 4032P, and 4031P sequentially come into contact with one ends of the corresponding arms 4054 to 4051, respectively, in this order.

When the abutment surface 403P comes into contact with one end of the arm 405 and then the abutment member 403 further rotates, the abutment surface 403P pushes down the one end of the arm 405. The arm 405 having its one end thus pushed down rotates on the support shaft 404, and the other end of the arm 405 is pushed upward. Consequently, the table 406 fixed to the other end is also pushed upward, and the solid-model chips 209 placed on the table 406 are also moved up. As a result, in accordance with an amount of rotation of the rotation drive shaft 402 by means of the stepping motor 401, a part or all of the solid-model chips 209 passes through the opening 210 and protrudes from the presentation plate 211 to be exposed.

By rotating the stepping motor 401 in a reverse direction, the solid-model chips 209 which have once protruded from the presentation plate 211 and thus have been exposed can partially or wholly be received under the presentation plate 211.

In the construction exemplified in FIG. 4, the abutment members 4031 to 4035 are shaped in such a manner that the abutment surfaces 4031P to 4035P can come into contact with one ends of the corresponding arms 4051 to 4055 at different timings, respectively. Therefore, the rightmost solid-model chips 209 in FIG. 4 are the first to start moving up. Subsequently, the solid-model chips 209 start moving up sequentially in an order of right-side ones to left-side ones. Utilizing this configuration, the solid-model chips 209 can represent, by their protruding amount, a wide range of credit values held by a player, such as 1 to 100000 credits, by making difference among colors or designs of the solid-model chips 209 so that solid-model chips 209 each having a small value (e.g., 1 credit per chip) can come rightmost and solid-model chips 209 each having a larger value (e.g., 5 credits per chip, credits per chip, 100 credits per chip, and 1000 credits per chip) come more left.

Next, another example of the construction of the elevator mechanism 302 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base unit in another example of the construction of the elevator mechanism 302. One elevator mechanism 302 is made up of two or more base units.

The base unit of the elevator mechanism 302 has a table 503 mounted on a rotation drive shaft 502 that is driven in rotation by a stepping motor 501.

Like in the above-described example, solid-model chips 209 are placed on an upper face of the table 503. Right and left hollow semi-cylinders are bonded to each other thereby forming one solid-model chips 209. FIG. 5 shows only one of the hollow semi-cylinders before bonded. Although not shown, the solid-model chips 209 moves up and down so as to protrude or retract through the opening 210 of the presentation plate 211, like in the above-described example.

A nut 504 is fixed to a bottom of the table 503. Although not shown, a screw thread and a screw groove are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotation drive shaft 502. The rotation drive shaft 502 is screwed into the nut 504.

The table 503 is restricted from rotating with rotation of the rotation drive shaft 502. For example, it may be possible to provide a guide rail as in the above-described example to thereby restrict rotation of the table 503 (but not to restrict an up-and-down movement of the table 503). Alternatively, it may also be possible that the table 503 is in slidable contact with an inner wall or the like of the gaming machine 100 to thereby restrict rotation of the table 503 (but not to restrict an up-and-down movement of the table 503).

By rotating the rotation drive shaft 502, the table 503 screwingly advances or retracts. That is, by controlling rotational driving of the stepping motor 501, up and down movement of the table 503 and therefore of the solid-model chips 209 placed thereon can be controlled.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the elevator mechanism 302 made up of several base units. The elevator mechanism 302 of this example is made up of a row of five base units each having one solid-model chips 209 mounted thereon and a row of five base units each having one solid-model chips 209 mounted thereon. Since every base unit has the stepping motor 501, up and down movement of the solid-model chips 209 can be controlled for every base unit independently of one another.

Accordingly, when the elevator mechanism 302 having such a construction is used, up and down movement of the solid-model chips 209 can be used not only for representing a credit value held by a player, but also for representing something else. For example, when a player using the player terminal makes a big win, effect operation can be made such as moving up and down the solid-model chips 209 like a wave sequentially from right side ones to left side ones or from left side ones to right side ones.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the schematic structure of the gaming machine 100 will be described continuously. The player terminal 101 is connected to the light source 303, and controls light emission of the light source 303. The light source 303 is a circuit having light emission sources such as LEDs, and functions as a light source that can emit light of different colors (e.g., red, blue, green, white, and the like) and change luminance of light. Light emitted from the light source 303 is guided by the acrylic panel 207, and injected to outside of the gaming machine 100 and in particular in a direction visible to a player.

[Example of Construction of Main Controller]

Next, an example of a construction of the main controller 301 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the gaming machine 100, which is centered on the main controller 301.

The main controller 301 is basically constructed of a microcomputer 705 as a core. The microcomputer 705 is made up of a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, and a bus 704 that transfers data thereamong. The ROM 703 and the RAM 702 are connected to the CPU 701 through the bus 704. Stored in the ROM 703 are a data table, various programs for executing necessary processing in controlling the gaming machine 100, and the like. The RAM 702 is a memory that temporarily stores therein various data computed in the CPU 701.

The microcomputer 705, and more specifically the CPU 701, is connected to an image processing circuit 707 through an I/O interface 706. The image processing circuit 707 is connected to the front display 104 and controls driving of the front display 104.

The image processing circuit 707 is made up of a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (Video Display Processor), a video RAM, and the like. Stored in the program ROM are an image control program and various selection tables relating to display made on the front display 104. Stored in the image ROM are dot data for forming an image, such as dot data for forming an image on the front display 104. The image control CPU determines, from dot data stored in the image ROM in advance, an image which will be displayed on the front display 104, based on a parameter set in the CPU 701 and in accordance with an image control program stored in the program ROM in advance. The work RAM is configured as a temporary storage that is used when the image control program is executed in the image control CPU. The VDP generates image data in accordance with display contents determined in the image control CPU, and outputs the image data to the front display 104′. The video RAM is configured as a temporary storage that is used when an image is formed in the VDP.

The speakers 105 are connected through a sound circuit 708 to the microcomputer 705 and more specifically to the CPU 701. In performing various effects, the speakers 105 generate various effect sounds, BGM, and the like based on an output signal from the sound circuit 708.

The lamps 106 and the LEDs 107 are connected through a lamp drive circuit 709 to the microcomputer 705 and more specifically to the CPU 701. A number of the lamps 106 and the LEDs 107 are provided on a front face of the gaming machine 100. In performing various effects, the lamps 106 and the LEDs 107 are controlled in lighting by the lamp drive circuit based on a drive signal from the CPU 701.

The respective player terminals 101 are connected through a communication interface 710 to the microcomputer 705 and more specifically to the CPU 701. Two-way communication can be made between the CPU 701 and the player terminals 101. Through the communication interface 710, commands and requests can be transmitted and received between the CPU 701 and the respective player terminals 101. The main controller 301 and the player terminals 101 cooperate each other to control a game progress.

[Example of Construction of Player Terminal]

Next, an example of a construction of the player terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the player terminal 101. The player terminal 101 is basically constructed of a microcomputer 805 as a core. The microcomputer 805 is made up of a CPU 801, a RAM 802, a ROM 803, and a bus 804 that transfers data thereamong. The ROM 803 and the RAM 802 are connected to the CPU 801 through the bus 804. Stored in the ROM 803 are a data table, various programs for executing necessary processing in controlling the player terminal 101 such as controlling operation of the elevator mechanism 302, controlling lighting on and off of the light source, and the like. The RAM 802 is a memory that temporarily stores therein various data computed in the CPU 801.

The microcomputer 805, and more specifically the CPU 801, is connected to a liquid crystal panel drive circuit 807 through an I/O interface 806. The liquid crystal panel drive circuit 807 is connected to a liquid crystal display 201 and controls driving of the liquid crystal display 201.

The microcomputer 805, and more specifically the CPU 801, is connected to a touch panel drive circuit 808 through the I/O interface 806. The touch panel drive circuit 808 outputs coordinate data of a contact point on a touch panel 202.

A hopper 814 is connected through a hopper drive circuit 809 to the microcomputer 805 and more specifically to the CPU 801. When the CPU 801 outputs a drive signal to the hopper drive circuit 809, the hopper 814 pays out a predetermined number of coins through the coin payout opening 206. In addition, a coin detector 815 is connected through a payout completion signal circuit 810 to the CPU 801. The coin detector 815 is provided inside the coin payout opening 206. When the coin detector 815 detects the predetermined number of coins being paid out through the coin payout opening 206, the coin detector 815 outputs a coin payout detection signal to the payout completion signal circuit 810. Based on the coin payout detection signal, the payout completion signal circuit 810 outputs a payout completion signal to the CPU 801.

The microcomputer 805, and more specifically the CPU 801, is connected to a stepping motor control circuit 811 that rotationally drives a stepping motor 401 (or 501) for driving the elevator mechanism 302. When the CPU 801 outputs a motor drive signal to a stepping motor control circuit 811, the stepping motor 401 (or 501) is driven in rotation by the stepping motor control circuit 811. The elevator mechanism 302 operates accordingly, to move up and down the solid-model chips 209.

Further, the microcomputer 805, and more specifically the CPU 801, is connected to an LED drive control circuit 812 that drives the light source 303. In this embodiment, the light source 303 is made up of LEDs. In accordance with an LED drive command from the CPU 801, the LED drive control circuit 812 supplies driving power to, among all the LEDs, an LED that is a target of the drive command. Thereby, under control by the CPU 801, the LEDs can be controlled to light on and off in a desired manner.

In this embodiment, the light source 303 is made up of five red LEDs, five blue LEDs, and five white LEDs. The LED drive control circuit 812 is able to selectively supply power so as to light on and off the five red LEDs, the five blue LEDs, and the five white LEDs separately and independently of one another.

Further, the microcomputer 805, and more specifically the CPU 801, is connected through a communication interface 813 to the main controller 301, so that two-way communication can be made between the CPU 801 and the main controller 301. Through the communication interface 814, commands and requests can be transmitted and received between the CPU 801 and the main controller 301. The main controller 301 and the player terminals 101 cooperate each other to control a game progress.

[Function of Player Terminal]

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the microcomputer 805 of the player terminal 101, mainly showing a part relating to a limited display processing. The microcomputer 805 has a terminal-side game controller 901 and a limiting processing executive 902. The limiting processing executive 902 is made up of a condition determination part 903, a selection receiving part 904, a limited display controlling part 905, and an undisclosed card data storage part 906.

The terminal-side game controller 901 receives, through the touch panel drive circuit 808 and a button switch group, an input made by a player, and notifies the main controller 301 of the input thus received. This input includes a betting object (such as “Banker”, “Player”, or “Tie”), the number of coins bet (including the number of credits), and the like. Not only the number of coins that are inserted in starting a game but also the number of coins that are additionally inserted by a player after the game starts (hereinafter referred to as the number of additional coins) is included in the number of coins bet. The terminal-side game controller 901 stores and manages the number of additional coins for each player.

The terminal-side game controller 901 receives from the main controller 301 data indicating a distributed card (hereinafter referred to as card data). For example, the main controller 301 selects and determines a predetermined number of cards from a card array that has been determined at random. The main controller 301 transmits to the player terminal 101 data identifying contents (a suit and a rank) of, from the cards thus selected and determined, a card for which the limited display processing will be executed, e.g., a card that is a dealer's hand and displayed with its backface up (hereinafter referred to as an “undisclosed card”). Here, the suit of the card means a mark put on the card such as heart, diamond, club, or spade. The rank of the card means a number put on the card such as A, 2, 3, . . . , J, Q, or K. The data identifying contents of the card will hereinafter be referred to as card data. The data identifying the card is not necessarily transmitted to all the player terminals 101. The card data may be transmitted only to a player terminal 101 used by a player who has inputted the highest bet value in this round of game.

It may be possible to, when there are two or more undisclosed cards, invite a player to select which undisclosed card should be limited, so that an undisclosed card selected by the player is limitedly displayed.

When there is only one undisclosed card, the one undisclosed card becomes a to-be-limited card (which means an undisclosed card for which the limited display processing will be executed). When there are two or more undisclosed cards, an undisclosed card selected by a player becomes a to-be-limited card.

The terminal-side game controller 901 of the player terminal 101 receives card data for the undisclosed card, and then writes and stores the card data into the undisclosed card data storage part 906.

The limiting processing executive 902, and more specifically the condition determination part 903, determines whether a condition for executing the limited display processing is satisfied or not. In this embodiment, the condition is that additional coin(s) has or have been inserted. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the condition determination part 903 acquires a limiting level value from the terminal-side game controller 901. The condition determination part 903 notifies the limited display controller 905 of the limiting level value, and at the same time requests execution of limited display.

That is, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the condition determination part 903 acquires a limiting level value from the terminal-side game controller 901. The “limiting level value” is data for determining to which level a front surface of a to-be-limited card should be displayed. In this embodiment, the limiting level value is data that can take three-level values from 1 to a predetermined maximum value (3 for example). When the limiting level value is 1, an image of a slightly turned over card is displayed. When the limiting level value is the maximum value (3 in this example), an image of a card revealing its surface most largely within a predetermined range is displayed.

In this embodiment, the terminal-side game controller 901 determines the limiting level value in accordance with the number of coins additionally inserted. For example, when the number of coins additionally inserted is one, a limiting level value is set at “1”. When the number of coins additionally inserted is two, a limiting level value is set at “2”. When the number of coins additionally inserted is three, a limiting level value is set at “3”.

When there are two or more undisclosed cards, the selection receiving part 904 receives a designation input made by a player relating to which undisclosed card should be limited and a placement direction of the to-be-limited card. As for the placement direction of the card, for example, there are provided two options of a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The limited display controller 905 limitedly displays the card in any of the longitudinal and lateral directions selected by a player as the placement direction of the card.

The limited display controller 905 receives from the selection receiving part 904 a notification of a placement direction of the card and a limiting level value. In accordance with this notification, the limited display controller 905 generates image data for the limited display processing, and outputs the image data to the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 807. Consequently, on the liquid crystal display 201 provided on the player terminal 101, the to-be-limited card is turned over to a degree corresponding to the limiting level value in accordance with an input made by a player. Thus, contents of the card are disclosed to the degree corresponding to the limiting level value.

The undisclosed card data storage part 906 receives from the terminal-side game controller 901 card data relating to an undisclosed card, and stores the data therein. When a request for the card data is received from the limited display controller 905, the undisclosed card data storage part 906 gives the card data to the limited display controller 905.

[Relation Between Limiting Level Value and Limited Display]

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D and 11, a description will be given to a relation between a limiting level value and limited display made by the limited display controller 905 in accordance with the limiting level value. FIGS. 10A to 10D show examples of limited display that is executed by the limited display controller 905 in accordance with respective limiting level values 1 to 3. FIG. 11 is side views of a card, and corresponds to FIGS. 10A to 10D, respectively.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 201. This is an example of a to-be-limited card before the limited display processing is executed. In the screen of this example, a to-be-limited card 1101 is completely backside up, and its front surface is not displayed at all. Finger images 1102L and 1102R imitating player's fingers are displayed on both sides of the to-be-limited card 1101.

FIG. 10B shows an example of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where the limiting level value is “1”. In the screen of this example, the to-be-limited card 1101 is slightly turned over at its edge on a player side, but its front surface is not yet displayed at all. In order to know a value of the card, in this state, the player has to further insert additional coins.

FIG. 10C shows an example of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where the limiting level value is “2”. In the screen of this example, the to-be-limited card 1101 is further turned over at its edge on the player side, so that an end portion of a surface 1103 can be seen. A part of a mark 1104 is seen on the surface 1103. Based on how the mark 1104 looks like, the player can guess which card the to-be-limited card 1101 is.

FIG. 10D shows an example of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where the limiting level value is “3”. In the screen of this example, the to-be-limited card 1101 is still further turned over at its edge on the player side, so that a mark and a number put at the end portion of the surface 1103 can be seen, to enable the player to substantially perfectly guess which card the to-be-limited card 1101 is.

[Example of Use of Limited Display]

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a description will be given to how a player guesses contents of a card by use of the limited display described above.

FIGS. 12A to 12D show examples of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where the limiting level value is “2”.

In a screen shown in FIG. 12A, an end of only one mark 1104 appears at an end portion of a card surface 1103. In this case, a player can guess a number of the card at 2 or 3, and also guess a mark at spade, club, diamond, or heart based on a shape and a color of the mark.

In a screen shown in FIG. 12B, ends of two marks 1104 appear at an end portion of a card surface 1103. In this case, a player can guess a number of the card at any of 4 to 10.

In a screen shown in FIG. 12C, no end of the mark 1104 appears at an end portion of a card surface 1103. In this case, a player can guess a number of the card at A (Ace).

In a screen shown in FIG. 12D, not a mark 1104 but a picture or a frame 1105 of the picture appears at the end portion of the card surface 1103. In this case, a player can guess a number of the card at any of J (Jack, 11), Q (Queen, 12), and K (King, 13).

In the case shown in FIG. 12B, the player can recognize that a number of the to-be-limited card 1101 is any of 4 to 10, but limiting is not sufficient yet. In this case, the player can switch a card placement direction to a lateral direction and further limit the card. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show examples of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where the card placement direction is the lateral direction.

FIG. 13A shows an examples of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where a number of the card is 4 or 5. In this case, two ends of marks 1104 appear at an end portion of a card surface 1103. This allows a player to guess a number of the card at 4 or 5.

FIG. 13B shows an example of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where a number of the card is 6 or 7. In this case, three ends of marks 1104 appear at an end portion of a card surface 1103. This allows a player to guess a number of the card at 6, 7, or 8.

FIG. 13C shows an example of a screen displaying a to-be-limited card, in a case where a number of the card is 9 or 10. In this case, four ends of marks 1104 appear at an end portion of a card surface 1103. This allows a player to guess a number of the card at 9 or 10. By seeing such a screen, the player can guess a front surface of an undisclosed card. This gives the player an opportunity to enjoy anticipating win or lose of a game based on his/her guess.

[Example of Operation of Gaming Machine]

Next, an example of operation of the gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing of the gaming machine 100. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a limited display processing.

In a main processing, the gaming machine 100 firstly executes a bet receiving processing (S1401). The bet receiving processing is a processing for waiting for each player to perform bet operation (such as coin insertion, pressing of a bet button) and, when the bet operation is performed, storing a bet amount. To be more specific, each player inserts through the coin insertion portion 204 a number of coins to be, bet on one game, so that the bet receiving processing is completed. Alternatively, in a case where there is any credit accumulated by the player in the gaming machine 100 and more specifically in the player terminal 101, each player presses a bet button, so that the bet receiving processing is completed.

When the bet receiving processing is completed, the gaming machine 100 and more specifically the main controller 301 executes a distributed card determination processing (S1402). The distributed card determination processing is a processing for determining a card that is necessary for progressing a game or making a decision in the game. For example, in a case where the game is a baccarat game, a card distributed to a “banker” and a card distributed to a “player” are determined in this processing.

Next, the gaming machine 100, and more specifically the main controller 301 and/or the player terminal 101, executes a distributed card display processing (S1403). The distributed card display processing is a processing for displaying a card image on the front display 104 and/or the liquid crystal display 201, in accordance with the card determined in the previous distributed card determination processing (S1402). In this distributed card display processing, all players can know contents of a card, as long as the card is an Up Card. In a baccarat game, the player can know contents of an Up Card distributed to the “banker” and two cards distributed to the “player”. However, a Hole Card distributed to the “banker” is an undisclosed card and its front surface is not shown. Therefore, the player cannot know contents of the Hole Card. If the player can know contents of the Hole Card, he/she can see a consequence of win or lose of the game. Therefore, the Hole Card is a target of the limited display processing which will be described later.

When the distributed card display processing (S1403) is completed, the gaming machine 100 and more specifically the player terminal 101 executes a limited display processing (S1404). The limited display processing is a processing for displaying on the liquid crystal display 201 an undisclosed card that is a target of “limiting”, e.g., the Hole Card in a baccarat game, with an end or an edge of the card being turned over, so that a player can see at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the limited display processing. In the following, the limited display processing will be described with reference to FIG. 15. When control is shifted to the limited display processing (S1404), the microcomputer 805 and more specifically the terminal-side game controller 901 of the player terminal 101 displays an additional bet reception message on the liquid crystal display 201 (S501). The additional bet reception message invites a player to insert an additional coin. As the additional bet reception message, for example, a massage “Additional Bet, and You Can Limit Banker's Hole Card” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 201.

Subsequently, the condition determination part 903 determines whether additional insertion of a coin, that is, an additional bet, which is a predetermined condition for limited display, has been made on this player terminal 101 or not (S1502). When it is determined that an additional bet has not been made (S1502: NO), the limiting processing executive 902 ends the processing and returns control to the main processing. When it is determined that an additional bet has been made (S1502: YES), the limiting processing executive 902 and more specifically the condition determination part 903 acquires a limiting level value from the terminal-side game controller 901 in order to proceed with the limited display processing (S1503). The limiting level value thus acquired is passed to the selection receiving part 904.

The selection receiving part 904 receives a limiting level value, and asks the player which undisclosed card to select and which direction the card should be placed, and receives a selection input from the player (S1504). When the selection input has been received, the limiting level value, a result of selection of an undisclosed card, and a placement direction of the card are passed to the limited display controller 905.

Then, the limiting processing executive 902, and more specifically the limited display controller 905, displays a limited card image, based on the limiting level value, the result of selection of the undisclosed card, and the placement direction of the card thus received from the selection receiving part 904 and also based on card data (only about the undisclosed card selected by the player) acquired from the undisclosed card data storage part 906 (S1505). In the following, an example of a processing for displaying a limited card image (S1505) will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing for displaying a limited card image which is executed by the limited display controller 905.

The limited display controller 905 checks whether a start command has been received from the selection receiving part 904 or not (S1601). When a start command has not been received (S1601: NO), the limited display controller 905 further determines whether a game ending condition is satisfied or not (S1602). When the game ending condition is satisfied (S1602: YES), the limited display controller 905 does not execute any processing and ends displaying a limited card image. When the game ending condition is not satisfied (S1602: NO), the limited display controller 905 wait for a predetermined period (three seconds for example), and then checks whether a start command has been received or not once again (S1601).

When a start command has been received in S1601 (S1601: YES), the limited display controller 905 executes a display processing a to-be-limited card image in accordance with the limiting level value, designating selection of the undisclosed card, and the placement direction selected (S1604). To be more specific, the limited display controller 905 generates image data in accordance with the limiting level value, designating selection of the undisclosed card, and the placement direction selected, and then outputs the image data to the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 807.

The limited display controller 905 may store therein image data that are prepared for each card and for every limiting level value, so that the limited display controller 905 reads out corresponding image data in accordance with the acquired limiting level value and then outputs the image data. Alternatively, the limited display controller 905 may execute an arithmetic processing such as a coordinate transformation processing in accordance with the limiting level value, to generate image data of a turned-over card and output the image data. To be more specific, the limited display controller 905 displays on the liquid crystal display 201 an image as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13.

Next, the limited display controller 905 determines whether a player has made an input for switching the placement direction or not (S1605). When the player has made the input for switching the placement direction (S1605: YES), the limited display controller 905 rewrites a placement direction flag (from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0 for example) which is information indicating a card placement direction (S1606). Then, the processing returns to the above-described S1604 in which the card image display processing is executed again (S1604). Consequently, a turned-over card image is displayed again with the card placement direction being changed.

When the player has not made the input for switching the placement direction (S1605: NO), the limited display controller 905 determines whether an additional bet has been inputted once more or not (S1607). When an additional bet has been inputted (S1607: YES), the terminal-side game controller 901 and the limited display controller 905 update the limiting level value (S1608). Then, the processing returns to the above-described S1604 in which the card image display processing is executed again (S1604). Consequently, an image of a more largely turned-over card is displayed on the liquid crystal display 201 in accordance with the input of the additional bet.

When an additional bet has not been inputted (S1607: NO), the limited display controller 905 determines whether an input for ending the limited display processing has been made or not (S1609). When the player is fully satisfied with the limited display processing, he/she operates the touch panel or the button group to make a predetermined input for ending the limited display processing so that the gaming machine 100 and more specifically the main controller 301 ends the game, makes a decision on win or lose, makes a payout based on the win or lose.

When an input for ending the limited display processing has been made (S1609: YES), the limited display controller 905 ends the limited display processing and returns control to the main processing. When an input for ending the limited display processing has not been made (S1609: NO), the limited display controller 905 waits for a predetermined period (S1610), and then returns to S1605 in which its awaits a further input made by the player. The description has thus been given to the limited card image display processing.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the description of the limited display processing will continue. When the limited card image display (S1505) is ended, the player terminal 101 ends the limited display processing and notifies the main controller 301 that the limited display processing has been ended. The main controller 301 receives notification, and then resumes the main processing.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the description of the main processing will continue. When the main controller 301 receives from all the player terminals 101 the notification that the limited display processing (S1404) is ended, the main controller 301 executes a win/lose decision processing (S1405). The win/lose decision processing is a processing for deciding whether each player wins or loses based on the contents of the card that has been determined in the distributed card determination processing (S1402).

Subsequently, the main controller 301 executes a payout processing (S1406). In the payout processing, a payout amount for each player terminal 101 is determined based on a win/lose decision obtained in the win/lose decision processing, game rules, a bet amount, and the like. When there is any amount to be paid out, a command to execute a payout processing is transmitted to the player terminal 101.

End of the payout processing (S1406) means end of a unit game. The gaming machine 100 and more specifically the main controller 301 returns again to the step S1401, and operates to allow a new unit game to start. Thereafter, by repeatedly executing S1401 to S1406, the gaming machine 100 continues providing games to players.

[Modifications and the Like]

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the condition for executing the limited display processing (S1404) is that an additional bet has been made. However, other condition may also be acceptable in the present invention. For example, it is also possible that, when a player makes a predetermined operation (such as pressing a certain button) after the distributed card display processing (S1403), the gaming machine 100 displays on the liquid crystal display 201 a selection screen asking whether or not to display a limited card image. The limited display processing (S1404) may be executed when the player makes an input requesting a limited card image display in accordance with the selection screen.

Alternatively, it may also be possible in the present invention that the limited display processing (S1404) is randomly executed using a lottery that is held by the main controller 301 (with sampling a random number and using a lottery table).

Alternatively, it may also be possible that a win/lose history of a player is accumulated and stored in the main controller 301 so that the limited display processing (S1404) is executed when the win/lose history of the player satisfies a certain condition (for example there are no less than a predetermined number of loses). At this time, on the front display 104, an image of the dealer 108 inviting the player to perform limiting may be displayed as an effect image. At the same time, a voice sound saying “Let's Limit” may be outputted from the speaker 105. This can put the player in a play environment with an increased sense of reality.

(2) It may be possible in the present invention that the limiting level value is randomly determined using a lottery that is held by the main controller 301 (with sampling a random number and using a lottery table). For example, the limiting level value may be determined as “1” when the random number is 1 to 150, “2” when the random number is 151 to 220, and “3” when the random number is 221 to 255.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the limiting processing executive 902 is provided in each player terminal 101. However, the limiting processing executive 902 may be provided in the main controller 301. In this modification, the limited card image as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13 is displayed on the front display 104. It may be possible that switching of the card placement direction and input of addition of the limiting level value are performed by a selected player terminal 101 and then the player terminal 101 notifies the main controller 301 of a result of input.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A gaming machine comprising a display and a controller, the controller providing a game using a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information is given and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not given; and in a state where an undisclosed card, which is the card having only the back surface exposed, is displayed on the display, the controller gradually displaying on the display a front surface of the undisclosed card so as to make it visible to a player, in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by the player after a game is started.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control panel, characterized in that the controller determines card data which is information identifying an undisclosed card and a limiting level value which is information about to which level a front surface of an undisclosed card is displayed, in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by a player through the control panel, and the controller visibly displays on the display at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card in accordance with the card data and the limiting level value.
 3. A gaming machine comprising a display, a controller, and a player terminal, the controller making a player play a game using a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information is shown and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not shown, the controller determining an undisclosed card, the player terminal receiving from the controller card data which is information identifying an undisclosed card, the player terminal determining a limiting level value which is information about to which level a front surface of an undisclosed card is displayed in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by a player, and the player terminal visibly displaying on the display at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card in accordance with the card data and the limiting level value.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, characterized in that whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not is determined and, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the display visibly displays thereon at least a part of a front surface of the undisclosed card.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the display displays thereon an image of a dealer distributing cards and, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, an image of the dealer recommending limiting is displayed on the display.
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the predetermined condition is a condition based on a win/lose history of the player.
 7. The gaming machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, when there are a plurality of undisclosed cards, the player terminal allows a player to select any of the undisclosed cards and visibly displays on the display at least a part of the front surface of the undisclosed card selected by the player.
 8. The gaming machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the player terminal allows a player to select a placement direction of the undisclosed card from two options of a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and visibly displays on the display at least a part of the front surface of the undisclosed card in any one of the longitudinal and lateral directions selected by the player as the placement direction of the undisclosed card.
 9. A game method which uses a card on a front surface of which win/lose decisive information is given and on a back surface of which win/lose decisive information is not given, characterized in that, in a state where an undisclosed card, which is the card having only the back surface exposed, is displayed, a front surface of the undisclosed card is gradually displayed so as to be visible to a player, in accordance with payment of an additional game value made by the player after a game is started. 